DELAWARE STATE POLICE CANINE UNIT

Cpl./2 Mark D. Windsor

The Delaware State Police Canine Division, in 2009, underwent a change in command during the later part of the year. Cpl/3 Joseph Gardner transferred to Troop 1 on November 30th and assumed a canine handler’s position with his new partner. Cpl/2 Mark Windsor assumed the role of NCOIC, and Cpl/2 Jeffrey Miller was transferred to Headquarters Canine on November 30th. Cpl/2 Jeffrey Miller had been assigned to Troop 1 uniformed patrol with his partner, K-9 Amadeus, since 2001. At the close of the year, 26 State Police K-9 teams were working throughout the state. Of that number, 7 of those teams are cross-trained for narcotic detection and 9 are cross trained for explosive detection. There are 3 single purpose narcotic teams, as well as, 4 single purpose explosive teams. There are also 3 single purpose patrol teams not yet cross trained for scent work rounding out the total number of teams. The HQ/K-9 Division is also responsible for the training, and monthly re-certifications of 14 Municipal Police K-9 Teams throughout the state. The Municipal K-9 Teams consist of Police Departments from Newark PD, Dover PD, Capital PD, Rehoboth Beach PD, Dewey Beach PD, Milford PD, and Harrington PD, bringing the total number of K-9 teams that the Headquarters Canine is responsible for to 40.

Three canines began certification for the Spring Narcotics training on March 9th, 2009. The class graduated on May 15th after completing 9 weeks of training, and consisted of the following personnel:

Cpl. Bridgette Harris, K-9 Zoeloe Troop 6
Cpl. Eric Glasco, K-9 Waldo Troop 4
Cpl. Scott Workman, K-9 Shadow Troop 4 (GTF)

The Canine Division had several Canine Teams retire after very productive years of service to the unit, as well as, the citizens of the State of Delaware. Those included were:

Sgt. Wysock, K-9 Hugo Troop 2
Cpl/3 Sennet-Wysock, K-9 Brody Troop 2 (SRO)

Aside from their required patrol functions, canine teams continued to a play a significant role as a means of support for Uniformed Patrol, the Division’s special units, and outside agencies. The Narcotic Detection Canine Teams (NDCT) conducted five unannounced school searches at the request of the school administration and DSP School Resource Officers. As a unit, NDCT conducted 281 searches and seized a total of 11,467.44 grams of Marijuana, 29.10 grams of Powder Cocaine, and 22.00 grams of Crack Cocaine. The street value of these narcotics is estimated at $65,785.30. NDCT also alerted on a total of $826,096.40 in drug tainted currency.

The division’s Explosive Detection Canine Teams continued to answer an increasing number of bomb threats in Delaware’s schools and businesses, as well as, playing an important role with Homeland Security support for the Northeast Corridor Law Enforcement Coalition with the Wilmington Amtrak Train Station searches. The Explosive Detection Canine Teams (EDCT) as a unit, conducted 290 searches saving countless man-hours had the searches been conducted without canines. Several large scale searches for the year included Governor Jack Markell’s Inauguration events, the Joint Jurisdictional VIPR Operation conducted at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal, the spring and fall NASCAR races, as well as, the Delaware State Fair.

The Canine Division recorded 61 criminal apprehensions in 2009. These apprehensions directly resulted in 123 felony, 149 misdemeanor, and 50 traffic charges being filed. Of the 61 suspects apprehended in 2009, 54 surrendered without further incident when the canine handler issued warnings that the canine would be utilized to apprehend them, making the apprehension to bite ratio 12.9%. Canine handlers, statewide, handled 8,907 complaints, provided assistance to other troopers on 3,015 occasions, and other jurisdictions a total of 632 times. Canine teams responded to 1,634 alarms, conducted 302 building searches, performed 448 track/area searches, and conducted crowd control/warrant attempts 440 times. The unit recorded a total of 8,135 traffic arrest, 2,081 criminal arrest, and 275 crime prevention checks.

The Canine Division also proved to be a valuable link between the State Police and the citizens of Delaware in the areas of public relations and recruiting. Handlers conducted 101 demonstrations in 2009. Several were conducted at DSP Headquarters which included Trooper Youth Week, and for the DSP Recruit class. Demonstrations across the state also included Kids at Work Day, youth groups, community group meetings, and the continued support of the boys/girls summer programs during the summer months at Camp Barnes.

The hardworking men and women of the Delaware State Police Canine Division continue to support the mission to provide support to the many law enforcement officers of the State as they perform their functions. They are also committed to providing quality service to the citizens and businesses of Delaware with conviction to loyalty, dedication, and professionalism.

 - Information obtained from 2009 DSP Annual Report -